1. Names:

Sanskrit:	Karavella, Sushavi		Enlarge photo
English:	Bitter gourd, Carilla fruit
Botanical:	Momordica charantia Linn
Hindi:	Karela, Kareli
Telugu:	Kakara
Common names:	Bengali: Karala, Kerula, Uchchhe Gujarati: Karela Bombay: Kurela-jangro Marathi: Karle Tamil: Pakal, Pavakkachedi, Pavakkayi Kannada: Hagala kayi Konkan: Karathay Malayalam: Kaippa, Kaippavalli, Paval
Family name:	Cucurbitaceae

2. Parts used:

• Leaves

3. Properties and Action According to Indigenous Medical Systems:

• Rasa: Bitter and spice.
• Veerya: Ushan veerya.

4. Uses:

• It cures blood diseases, asthma, ulcers and bronchitis.
• The leaf sap helps in cholera.
• It is a good remedy for anaemia, urinary discharges.

5. Names due to Physical properties:

• Hastapatra: The plant with palm like leaves.

6. Names due to Medical properties:

• Vranahari: Which clears ulcers.

7. Reference:

Brunda madhava, Vasthu guna deepika, Vasthu guna prakashika, Chakradatta, Susrutam, Basavarajeeyam, Bhavaprakashika, Vangasena,Charakasamhita, Vagvatamu, Hareetasamhita, Srijanakalpavalli.

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